Object recognizer

Abstract

An object recognizer includes a computer system, a spatial division sensing device including a first sensor, a second sensor, and a first polarizer. An object feature generator is attached to an object and includes a plurality of object feature correspondents, and a plurality of second polarizers. By such an arrangement, the first sensor is able to detect a first signal from the second polarizers and the object feature correspondents to form a first polarized image. The second sensor co-operating with the first polarizer is able to detect a second signal from the second polarizers and the object feature correspondents to form a second polarized image. The computer system is able to execute an operation between the first image and the second image to obtain a third image, thereby determining the positions of the second polarizers on the third image so as to locate the object. The computer system is then able to detect patterns of the object feature correspondents on the first image, thereby recognizing the type of the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An object recognizer for identifying an object and comprising: a computer system;   an object sensing system comprising a spatial division sensing device, said spatial division sensing device including a first sensor, a second sensor, and a first polarizer co-operating with said second sensor; and   an object feature generator attached to said object and including a plurality of concentrically arranged ring-shaped object feature correspondents formed thereon, and a plurality of second polarizers mounted thereon, said second polarizers being arranged in diametrically opposed pairs wherein said first polarizer and said second polarizers are arranged and oriented such that a polarized direction of said first polarizer and that of one of said second polarizers are able to form a right angle therebetween;   whereby, said first sensor is able to detect a first signal supplied from said second polarizers and said object feature correspondents to form a first polarized image;   said second sensor co-operating with said first polarizer is able to synchronously detect a second signal supplied from said second polarizers and said object feature correspondents to form a second polarized image;   said computer system is able to execute an operation between said first image and said second image to obtain a third image, thereby determining the positions of said second polarizers on said third image so as to locate said object; and   said computer system is able to detect patterns of said object feature correspondents on said first image, thereby recognizing the type of said object.   
     
     
       2. The object recognizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said computer system includes means for executing a subtractive operation and a signal-filtering procedure between said first image and said second image. 
     
     
       3. The object recognizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said object feature correspondents is a circle of color. 
     
     
       4. The object recognizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said object feature correspondents is a circle of pattern. 
     
     
       5. An object recognizer for identifying an object and comprising: a computer system;   an object sensing system comprising a time division sensing device, said time division sensing device including a sensor and a first polarizer; and   an object feature generator attached to said object and including a plurality of ring-shaped object feature correspondents formed thereon, and a plurality of second polarizers mounted thereon, wherein said first polarizer and said second polarizers are arranged and oriented such that the polarized direction of said first polarizer and that of one of said second polarizers are able to form a right angle therebetween;   whereby, said sensor is able to detect a first signal supplied from said second polarizers and said object feature correspondents to form a first polarized image;   said sensor co-operating with said first polarizer is able to subsequently detect a second signal supplied from said second polarizers and said object feature correspondents to form a second polarized image;   said computer system is able to execute an operation between said first image and said second image to obtain a third image, thereby determining the positions of said second polarizers on said third image so as to locate said object; and   said computer system is able to detect patterns of said object feature correspondents on said first image, thereby recognizing the type of said object.